Wild Hairstyles and Glitter! Sydney Merrymakers Celebrate Mardi Gras

Thousands of revellers who flocked to the Sydney Cricket Ground for the Mardi Gras parade have continued partying into the morning - and some might be worse for wear later on Sunday.

Partygoers dressed in tutus, feathers and all the colours of the rainbow packed the streets of Sydney after the annual event came to a close on Saturday night. 

Merrymakers came together and danced on the road, under the watchful eye of NSW Police. 

For the first time in its 43-year history the Mardi Gras parade did not go down Oxford Street but was instead held at the SCG. 

The annual celebration was forced to adapt its event because of the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions on social gatherings. 

But the changes did little to dim the spirts of 36,000 revellers, who showed their pride with colourful ensembles, wild hairstyles and endless amounts of glitter.

British pop star Rita Ora closed the iconic event with an electric performance. The SCG allowed crowds to stay seated while parade participants marched and danced past.

Wearing a revealing, sparkling electric blue costume and knee-high rainbow-coloured boots, Ora treated revellers to songs including Let You Love Me, Carry On and Bang Bang.

'I'm a little bit emotional. This is my first show in a very, very long time so thank you,' she said.

NSW Police launched a high-visibility operation across Moore Park, Oxford Street, Hyde Park and public transport routes to and from the area on Saturday night. 

The police operation monitored compliance with current Public Health Orders and the safety of all participants and spectators.  

Mardi Gras 2021 Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot, said she was pleased the community was able to celebrate this year.

'We knew Mardi Gras was going to look very different in 2021, so I'd like to thank the community for coming together today and celebrating peacefully and safely,' Assistant Commissioner Talbot said.

'We are in a unique position in Australia to be able to host events of this scale during a global health pandemic, and I commend the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras team for planning such a well-organised, COVID-safe event.' 

Four people were arrested at the SCG just before 8pm after they entered the pitch dring the parade.   

They were removed from the venue and were hit with a $165 fine each for climb/jump over fences/seats etc on lands without approval.

'The main issue for police was preventing anti-social behaviour and ensuring COVID-19 safety protocols were maintained,' Assistant Commissioner Talbot said.

'While I'm pleased the majority of those who attended and enjoyed the festivities celebrated responsibly, it is very disappointing one group decided to attempt to disrupt the parade.' 

Mardi Gras celebrations begun with a protest on Oxford Street, as New South Wales made its first exemption to gathering restrictions for the demonstration. 

'This is a massive win for not only the right to protest but for the queer community to say that the fight against transphobia and homophobia cannot wait,' activist group Pride in Protest said in a statement. 

The regular annual Mardi Gras parade - which regularly draw over 10,000 participants and public crowds of at least 250,000 people was cancelled due to Covid concerns - and instead 30,000 people will gather for a ticketed event at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

All participants were subject to Covid guidelines such as wearing masks and social distancing, while dance floors around Sydney remain closed and non-official private parties around Sydney are limited to a maximum of 50 people. 

The march began on Saturday afternoon ahead of the official Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, which was moved to the Sydney Cricket Ground due to Covid-19 regulations.

Revelling protesters assembled at Taylor Square and set off raising awareness about a range of issues including women's rights, gay and lesbian rights, the Religious Discrimination Bill, transgender rights, black deaths in custody and police brutality.

The green light from NSW Health meant a court showdown between activists and the police, who wanted the rally stopped, was called off at the last minute.

Pride in Protest approached Health Minister Brad Hazzard for an exemption to the 500-person limit on public gatherings on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Hazzard had previously refused an exemption for an Invasion Day rally in Sydney in January.

NSW MPs including Labor's Jo Haylen and the Greens' Jenny Leong wrote to Mr Hazzard over the pride rally, as did members of the '78ers protest group, who started the Mardi Gras movement amid police violence.

Mr Hazzard agreed to the exemption on Friday morning after the group agreed to enhanced contact tracing processes. It has been 47 days since NSW recorded a locally-acquired coronavirus case.  

This article has been adapted from its original source.